From a Roman Temple to cutting edge 21st century design, via Victorian splendour and medieval timber frames, panoramas of beautiful buildings reflect the town's history and contemporary appeal.

As well as being the inspiration for famous English artists like 19th century landscape painter John Constable, 18th century artist Thomas Gainsborough and 20th century equestrian artist Sir Alfred Munnings, the Colchester area offers cutting-edge contemporary art galleries and art cafés for you to enjoy and buy locally made art and craft.

If you like art, you won't have to look far to see it. In fact, Colchester is such a cultural hotspot that in September 2011 a cutting-edge multimillion-pound visual art destination - firstsite opened right in the heart of town. This new cultural attraction will showcase the work of regional, national and international artists, and will also house a selection of the University of Essex's Latin American art collection. Colchester is also a very musical town with music of most genres being performed in pubs, bars, theatres and churches. Colchester is also the home of signal, media arts which provides media production courses. If also showcases an international short film festival in October.

Outside Colchester, art and craft can be found in several locations such as the Dedham Art & Craft Centre and Mistley Quay Workshops (with tranquil lunches and estuary views). In truth, there is always something art related on and quite often it's not even in a gallery.